Lloyd’s under fire for selling ‘gun murder insurance’

UNITED STATES: Lloyd’s of London has been accused of providing ‘‘murder insurance’’ to American gun owners, helping them to foot legal bills if they shoot somebody.

The National Rifle Association is promoting on its website a policy, underwritten by Lloyd’s, that covers the legal costs in such cases and promises to pay out up to US$1 million (NZ$1.43m) for civil suits and US$100,000 in criminal cases.

Critics warn that such insurance may lead to more firearms fatalities by offering encouragement to pull the trigger.

Igor Volsky, of Guns Down America, which campaigns for tighter controls, said: ‘‘The kinds of policies that the NRA offers are being sold in a way that tells people there is a threat around every corner. When you have policies that proactively protect shooters, you now have an incentive to shoot first, ask questions later.’’

Guns Down America has likened the policies to ‘‘murder insurance’’.

An analysis in Foreign Policy magazine this week asked: ‘‘Why is Lloyd’s of London Insuring American Guns?’’

Gun rights advocates argue that the insurance protects law-abiding gun owners who want to defend themselves. New York state regulators have begun an investigation into policy marketing.

The emergence of ‘‘self-defence insurance’’ is the latest front in the fight to expand gun rights. The NRA argues there would be fewer burglaries and assaults if would-be perpetrators thought they were in danger of being shot.

Lloyd’s of London said its commercial decisions were made in line with ‘‘ethical standards and consistent with the regulations within the market and territories concerned’’. – The Times